FRIDAY CHALLENGE 08/02/13 - Wear a hat without looking like a fool.

[MrDaniels]

RDiaz. Hands down.

 

[Victor Elfo]

I agree, RDiaz killed it, but the idea that someone's outfit is judged better because of the surroundings, picture quality, pose, or whatever, has always confused me. I suppose there is no getting away from it completely, especially when a picture is so bad that you can't see what it is clearly, but is this a photography contest, or a CM contest?

Interesting point.
In my opinion, what you're seeking is better offered by the Good Taste thread, however, that approach has some limitations that you should be aware of. For example, it does not account for how the pieces fit and, more importantly, it does not account for the demeanor that some people has and thus it often is not capable to properly judge if an outfit was successful or not. That's where good photography comes in, through it we can get a better sense of the context in which the outfit is donned, however, as you have already pointed out, it also has its limitations as it often diminishes the more technical aspects such as fit, coherence, textures, etc...
Both approaches have their merit and their demerits, learn from both having their demerits in mind.

 

[EliodA]



I agree, RDiaz killed it, but the idea that someone's outfit is judged better because of the surroundings, picture quality, pose, or whatever, has always confused me. I suppose there is no getting away from it completely, especially when a picture is so bad that you can't see what it is clearly, but is this a photography contest, or a CM contest?

In my opinion, the attitude of the wearer and the setting in which an outfit is worn are important contributing factors in judging the overall stylistic success of said outfit. Had Sr. Diaz worn the exact same outfit while posing stiff as a plank in time honoured SF fashion and - let's say - at a gala dinner, his entry in this challenge would have been a complete fail. But that's just my 2 rupiah...

 

[sugarbutch]

I think you guys are making too much of the photo. RD's fit would have looked great with a robopose shot. The one thing I think he does accomplish with the pose, however, is obscuring his face in an unobtrusive way.

 

[RDiaz]

I believe a hat worn indoors usually makes you look like a fool (unless it's obvious you're about to head out), which is why I took the pictures at the park rather than at the workplace as I usually do

I honestly don't even think I made "nice" photographs at all; I'm a complete n00b at photography. They just happen to capture the ensemble well, as oppossed to my usual indoor shots taken with a Galaxy 3, which are terrible. The pose is the same I've been using lately for indoor shots

 

[Victor Elfo]

I think you guys are making too much of the photo. RD's fit would have looked great with a robopose shot. The one thing I think he does accomplish with the pose, however, is obscuring his face in an unobtrusive way.

Yes, the fit would still be great, but it certainly would not make such a strong impression. The light, the surrounding, the pose and the outfit, they're all in sync, coincidentally or not.
Anyway, if a photograph couldn't make a strong difference, photography would not be an art. Saying again for no misunderstanding, I'm not diminishing RDiaz's outfit, it's great.

I honestly don't even think I made "nice" photographs at all; I'm a complete n00b at photography. They just happen to capture the ensemble well, as oppossed to my usual indoor shots taken with a Galaxy 3, which are terrible. The pose is the same I've been using lately for indoor shots

Yes, your photograph does not follows the basic photographic rules and was taken with a simple camera on auto, but the natural light and the surroundings were enough to make it pop. Not a terrific photograph, but way better than average.
Going to a park with your camera and a tripod as worth the effort.

 

[in stitches]



I think you guys are making too much of the photo. RD's fit would have looked great with a robopose shot. The one thing I think he does accomplish with the pose, however, is obscuring his face in an unobtrusive way.

This

 

[Caustic Man]

I think you guys are making too much of the photo. RD's fit would have looked great with a robopose shot. The one thing I think he does accomplish with the pose, however, is obscuring his face in an unobtrusive way.

Actually I said RDiaz killed it, BUT, I was just commenting on how one person took the photographic presentation as a major factor in how good the fit was. To me that's counter productive.

 

[Victor Elfo]

Actually I said RDiaz killed it, BUT, I was just commenting on how one person took the photographic presentation as a major factor in how good the fit was. To me that's counter productive.

The photograph is a major factor, how would we perceive his outfit without it? It baffles me that so many of you try to deny so hard that the presentation is usually more important than the content, there's even a career on it: marketing. RDiaz's outfit succeeds on both presentation and content. Funny how people usually stick with linear rationales (A or B).

 

[sugarbutch]

It's funny how you think that no one but you is able to tease that out and factor it into his consideration...

 

[Victor Elfo]

Not no one, but certainly not you.

 

[mrjester]

I highly doubt he got 63% of the vote due to a pose or natural light. Even if he got 40%, he would have probably won. He didn't just kill it, he destroyed the challenge. Awesome.

What's the next challenge, RDias? I've got enough stuff I may be able to compete.

 

[sugarbutch]



Not no one, but certainly not you.

Dude, seriously? You need to get off your high horse and go cut yourself a slice of humble pie.

 

[in stitches]

SF is a lot more than about just the fit. fair or not, facts are facts.

regardless, diaz won this handily.

 

[Caustic Man]

I think a bit much is being read into what I said. It was just an observation. Not an objection to what RDiaz was wearing. Killed it, destroyed it, call it whatever you want. It was a great fit. Nevertheless, I still believe what I do.